Latest from Windows Central in Amazon-echo

Save $40 on Amazon's newest Echo Show 8 smart speaker today

jd.levite@futurenet.com (John Levite) — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 00:20:02 +0000

The 2nd-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 smart speaker has dropped in price to $89.99 at Amazon. This is the lowest price ever for this smart speaker, and it matches a one-day sale we saw on Black Friday. The Echo Show 8 normally goes for around $130, and even when it does go on sale only drops to around $100. It's a fairly new smart speaker, too, having just been updated late last year. The first generation Echo Show 8 goes for around $70 right now, so you're paying just $20 extra today for a decent upgrade.

It's worth noting that every iteration of this speaker is on sale. You can get it in Charcoal or Glacier White. You can add six months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free. You can even get a Blink Mini camera added on for a bundled total of $114.98, which is down from a price closer to $165.

Amazon Echo Show 8 smart speaker

Hook up video doorbells, security cameras, smart lights and more through this smart speaker. Control your whole home, get daily recipes or your favorite music playlists with ease, and more. It's a great speaker at a great price.View Deal

The eight in the name doesn't indicate its generation but rather its screen size. The Echo Show 8 has an eight-inch HD touchscreen display with a 1200 x 800 pixel resolution. You'll also find two decently powerful stereo speakers, so you can get plenty of things displayed with the audio to accompany the visuals. That means you can do things like use this speaker in your kitchen to follow a YouTube recipe or view your security feed. Or just watch TikTok all day or something. It can be used to display your calendar and reminders or browse a photo album.

The speaker has Amazon Alexa built right in, too, so it essentially just becomes another part of your smart home. Talk to her like you would any full voice assistant. Ask for the news or the weather or play your favorite music. Control the lights and the temperature with a simple command if you want. It can even work with other smart gear like Blink security cameras so you can keep tabs on your home from anywhere.

Save $40 and talk to your team with the HyperX Cloud Alpha gaming headset

jd.levite@futurenet.com (John Levite) — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:30:02 +0000

Expecting some new video games this Christmas? Need to jump into a call to yell at and/or participate with your team? You need a good gaming headset for that! Grab the HyperX Cloud Alpha stereo gaming headset for a low price of $59.99 at Best Buy. This is a Best Buy-exclusive version of the Cloud Alpha, but this price is much better than even other versions at other retailers. It's actually one of the best prices we've seen for the headset, even though we've seen deals as low as $70 in the past.

You can still get Best Buy deals before Christmas if you order quickly. You'll need to do something like curbside pickup or same-day delivery to make it work, but then again if you're not in a hurry you can just do standard delivery.

HyperX Cloud Alpha wired gaming headset | $40 off

Compatible with most platforms including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and more. Has adjustable headband for maximum comfort. Mic is detachable and has noise cancellation so your voice doesn't get drowned out. In-line controls let you adjust volume and mic.View Deal

So the Cloud Alpha is an extremely durable headset that uses an aluminum frame and has an expanding headband that helps generate long-lasting comfort. With memory foam in the ear cups, you'll get the same feeling of comfort every time you put the set on. Plus the cable is braided to prevent tangling, and it has in-line audio controls. It's even detachable so you can store the cable easily whether you're putting it away for the night or taking it with you on a trip. Use the in-line controls to mute sound or adjust volume without having to take your eyes off the screen.

You'll also get great audio with this headset thanks to the 65 ohms impedance and dual chamber drivers that can separate the bass from the mids and highs for a smoother sound. Much like the cable, the microphone is also detachable so you can use it only when you need to. The mic has built-in noise cancellation, too, so you can talk to your teammates without the sounds of simulated explosions getting in the way.

The Cloud Alpha is compatible with a wide range of platforms. Use it on your PC, your Mac, your PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, mnobile devices, and more. HyperX backs it up with a two-year warranty.

Show Mode turns your laptop into an Echo Show-like device, but you might not be able to use it

sendicott47@outlook.com (Sean Endicott) — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:05:21 +0000

What you need to know

Show Mode is rolling out to the Alexa app on select Lenovo laptops.
With Show Mode, Alexa on your laptop acts like an Echo Show.
Amazon calls it a "voice-first interactive Alexa experience for PCs."

Select Lenovo laptops can now use "Show Mode" to turn Alexa into an Echo Show-like device. Amazon calls Show Mode a "voice-first, interactive Alexa experience for PCs." Show Mode is only available on select Lenovo Yoga, IdeaPad, and ThinkPad laptops, so you can't just download it for any PC.

With Show Mode, you can use the Alexa app to read trending news stories, listen to music, set timers, and do any of the thousands of commands you'd expect from an Alexa device. To activate it, you just need to say "Alexa, open Show Mode" on a supported device. You can also click the Show Mode button within the Alexa app.

Lenovo first announced Show Mode on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i laptop at CES 2021.

As explained by Amazon in a recent blog post, Show Mode isn't just a voice-first Alexa experience. The post explains that "By teaming with Amazon, Lenovo optimized the Show Mode experience with automatic enablement when the device is idle and improved acoustic quality and battery performance, taking advantage of the best-in-class hardware on Lenovo PCs."

Show Mode is currently available on select Lenovo Yoga, IdeaPad, and ThinkPad PCs running Windows 10, though Amazon does not specify which models can use it. It's supported in the U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, India, Ireland, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. Amazon states that Show Mode will arrive on more PC models later this year.

This Mickey Mouse edition of the Echo Wall Clock is 25% off for the first time ever

Alex Smith — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 16:21:50 +0000

Amazon Alexa and the Echo Wall Clock can change how you use timers forever. With a few words like "Alexa, countdown two minutes", you'll be set and you might just end up using it for anything and everything. Whether you need a reminder when dinner's ready, when your break is up, or when to let a little one out of their timeout corner. Now that the new Amazon Echo Wall Clock: Disney Mickey Mouse Edition is on sale today for $37.49, its lowest price ever, you should consider grabbing one for your home. This clock normally sells for $50 and in addition to showing you the actual time by using Mickey's hands, it also displays your Alexa countdowns using LED lights all along its edges.

Amazon Echo Wall Clock: Disney Mickey Mouse Edition

This fun edition of Amazon's Echo Wall Clock features Mickey Mouse whose hands travel 'round the clock to show you what time it is. It can also be voice-controlled so you can set timers by asking Alexa.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

The Ring Video Doorbell is bundled with Amazon's Echo Show 5 at over 50% off exclusively for Prime Day. You'll be able to see who's at your door using the Ring app on a myriad of devices, including the Echo Show 5.

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Exclusively during Prime Day, Amazon is offering Prime members three free months of 'The Disney Bundle' with the purchase of a new Fire TV Stick or Fire Tablet. The Disney Bundle gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Featuring the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Auto, Echo Frames, and more, this sale lets you snap up some Amazon hardware without breaking the bank. These are some of the best prices ever, tough they are just for Prime members.

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

One of the best deals to come to Amazon Kids+ is now available exclusively for Prime members! Your family can score three months of access for only $1 by signing up before Prime Day begins on June 21.

If you're not looking to hang Mickey on your wall, the original Echo Wall Clock is also on sale today for just $23.99, saving you $6 off its regular price.

Alexa's timers work great in the kitchen when you need to know how long something's been simmering, how long you've been stirring, or any number of other things. You'll be able to see exactly how long you have and coordinate all the different parts of the meal. The clock also has the benefit of automatically adjusting based on Daylight Savings Time, which is unusual for an analog clock and a great little feature. It's not the smartest of smart home devices and needs a separate Alexa device like the 3rd-gen Echo Dot for the setting of timers, but if you're already in the Amazon ecosystem it's a simple, nifty addition.

Plus, it has such a simple, elegant design you can put it just about anywhere. Just keep it within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet) of your Alexa device. It has a 10-inch diameter and the 60 LEDs can display one or multiple timers. The clock also comes with mounting hardware and the four AA batteries needed to operate it. If you're still wondering whether or not you should get this, Android Central has the answer for you.

How to use an Amazon Echo with Windows 10

Richard Devine — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:00:00 +0000

The Amazon Echo is not a smart home product that is reliant on a mobile device to operate. Once set up, the Echo is entirely voice-activated, and it's very good at it. And because there's a web app, you can handle everything from your Windows 10 PC.

Products used in this guide

The best Echo: Amazon Echo ($100 at Amazon)
Free app: Amazon Alexa for Windows 10 (Free at Microsoft Store)

Which Amazon Echo should you get?

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Amazon now has a whole range of Echo products to choose from: The Echo Dot, Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Show in three sizes, the Echo Flex and the Echo Studio

The first big difference between them is the price. The Echo Dot is $50, the 2nd generation Echo is $100, and the Echo Plus is $180. The standard Echo Show is $230 for the regular model and $90 for the 5-inch model or $130 for the 8-inch. With these also having a display you get video and not just audio-based features.

The Echo Plus tops the range of the speakers because it's also a built-in smart home hub, and it's basically the same form factor as the standard Echo, but is more expensive at $165.

The Echo Dot has recently been refreshed in so much as there's now a model with a clock integrated for $10 more than the base model, but in this and the standard one for $50 you get all the same Alexa features as the other Echo speakers in a teeny tiny package. It's not as good for playing music, but you can get a pair for the price of one Echo, and the newest version is a marked improvement in both quality and volume.

If you're looking for an extended Echo experience, the Show built-in displays can show you the time, weather, make video calls and take advantage of skills like the Ring Doorbell. You can answer the door and check your cameras using the Echo Show and the Echo Spot.

How to set up an Amazon Echo with Windows 10

Setting up other Amazon Echo devices will follow the same process, but for the purposes of this guide, we used the standard, 2nd generation Amazon Echo.

Before you get too excited, there are a couple of caveats; the first is that you'll have to set it up through your desktop browser. Unless you're a weird outlier like me and using a smaller browser like Opera, you'll probably be supported — if your browser's not, Edge will work just fine, and that goes for the new Chromium-based version of Edge, too.

Setting up using your browser is fairly straightforward:

Go to https://alexa.amazon.com in your browser.
If you're not already logged in, hit log in.
Plug in and turn on your Echo.
Wait for the Echo's ring light to turn orange. The Echo should appear in the Alexa web app, as it's was automatically attached to your Amazon account when you ordered.
Hold down the action button on the Echo for 5 seconds.
In the web app, click on settings.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Select set up new device.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Choose the type of Echo you have.
Select your Wi-Fi network in the web app.
Click connect

After a few seconds, your Echo will set up, and you can begin talking to it!

What you get inside the Alexa web app is a simple-to-use layout to manage all your key Amazon Echo features. If you're using an Echo, it's mostly a given you're also a Prime subscriber, and this will be your default music service. In the UK, Echo has support also for Spotify Premium, but that's it.

Amazon now has Music Unlimited, which has a special, lower-cost Echo only subscription that opens up more music for about $5 a month. To enable it, just ask Alexa to start your Music Unlimited trial.

Alexa on Windows 10 PCs

Announced way back in 2018, Amazon brought Alexa to Windows 10 PCs in partnership initially with companies like ASUS, Acer, and HP. While not specifically for interacting with an Echo, it does provide another outlet to handle Alexa, requests, and skills on your PC.

Amazon has since released a dedicated app for Windows 10 which can be used by everyone. It can't be used to set up an Echo device; you'll still need to follow the steps above and use the web app for that.

But, it expands the reach and makes Alexa even more convenient to integrate with your life, and your home. It's a little rough right now, but it's a start.

Our pick

Amazon Echo

A great way to get Alexa in your life.

The standard Amazon Echo is the best balance of sound quality, design, and price, and unless you need a screen, it's the one to go for.

Add Alexa to your existing speakers with $15 off Amazon's Echo Input

Adam Oram — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:00:04 +0000

Amazon's Echo Input has dropped to $19.99. That's $15 off its regular price and one of the lowest prices we've ever seen. The deal in applies to both the black and white models. We've seen this deal pop up a few times in the past but the price drop is always short-lived. It's safe to assume the same will apply this time.

Amazon Echo Input

Connect the Input via 3.5mm or Bluetooth and use it to add voice control to your speaker. Disconnect the mic when you aren't using it. Stream from apps like Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music. Set alarms or ask Alexa about the weather.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

The Input is just a great way to augment your smart home. You might already have a few Echo Dots or other Amazon devices around the house. Considering the various Echo Dot models that are on sale right now, you'd be crazy not to, right? While these do have improved speakers, it might not be great enough for your excellent audiophile ears. The Input gives you a way to keep Alexa accessible even while using your amazing surround sound system or bookshelf speakers.

The Input lets you connect to a regular speaker via the 3.5mm audio jack or through Bluetooth. You can then ask Alexa to stream music from your favorite places like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and others. Essentially, you can turn any "dumb" speaker into a "smart" one using the Input. It doesn't just have to be music, either. Ask Alexa to tell you the news, the weather, or any of the other things you talk to Alexa about. More than 2,800 users give it 4.1 stars out of 5.

We are seeing a lot of deals on Amazon devices right now. Not only can you save on the Echo Dot as mentioned above, you can also get the Echo Show 5 for just $59.99. You can even enhance your home security with discounted Blink cameras. Lots of ways to save today!

Pick up Tile's newest Bluetooth trackers and snag a free Amazon Echo Dot

Adam Oram — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 12:06:57 +0000

Tile's latest Bluetooth trackers were only just unveiled earlier this month but you can already score a nice deal on the newest devices when you buy a bundle at Amazon. The 4-packs come with an Amazon Echo Dot worth $50 at no extra cost so you can add Alexa to more rooms in your home and also use your new smart speaker to track down lost items. Various bundles get the freebie, so you can get the types of Tile devices that suit your needs best.

Tile Bluetooth Trackers + Free Echo Dot

Attach Tile trackers to all of your stuff so you never lose track of your most important items. This 4-pack bundle even comes with Amazon's Echo Dot for free so you can ask Alexa to find what's lost. Other bundles see similar savings.View Deal

If you like the look of Tile's new Sticker tracker, you can grab a 4-pack for just $59.99 with the free Echo Dot thrown in. These new Bluetooth trackers from Tile are the most versatile yet. Each one is small and has an adhesive backing that makes it easy to stick them virtually wherever you'd like. You could put one on your remote control, one on your wireless earbuds case, and another in your wallet. The Tile Sticker features a 3-year battery life and a 150-foot range.

Alternatively, you can get the keychain-style Tile Mate bundle for $69.99 with the Dot. The new Mate is identical to its predecessor in size and weight, and it still has that super-useful removable battery (which can be replaced for free with an optional Tile Premium subscription), though its range has been bumped from 150 feet to 200 feet. An extra $5 lets you grab a pair of Tile Mate trackers with two new Tile Slim trackers. The Slim is longer and thinner than the previous-gen at just 2.5mm thin so it can slip into wallets, especially given that it's now almost exactly the size of a credit card. The best bundle, perhaps, is the Tile Essentials 4-pack at $69.99 that gets you a Tile Slim, a Tile Mate, and two Tile Stickers so you can keep tabs on all kinds of devices.

Regardless of which Tile you use, you can use the companion app on your phone to make it ring whenever you need to locate the device it's attached to. On the other hand, you can even press a button on any Tile to make your phone ring in case it's ever lost. That functionality works even when your phone is on silent, which is super helpful for those who never have their ringer on. It's no wonder Tile trackers regularly top our list of the best Bluetooth trackers.

With your bundled Echo Dot, you'll even be able to ask Alexa to help you locate any lost item attached to one of the Tile trackers. That's just one of the many features of the Echo Dot though, which also functions as a smart speaker which can wirelessly stream music from various streaming services, answer all your questions, control other compatible smart home devices, and more.

Add powerful bass to your Echo speakers with Amazon's Echo Sub at $50 off today only

Alex Smith — Sat, 17 Aug 2019 15:26:10 +0000

Amazon's Echo Sub pairs with Echo devices to offer a serious sound upgrade, and today you can snag one in used condition at Woot for $79.99, saving you $50 off the regular cost. This one-day deal may not have brand new products, though they've each been tested and verified by Amazon to ensure they're in good working condition. Woot even includes a 90-day warranty with the purchase, and you can score free shipping by logging in with an Amazon Prime account.

Amazon Echo Sub

This down-firing 100W Echo Sub can be paired with another Echo device for dynamic audio, or paired with two Echo devices wirelessly to create a 2.1 stereo system.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

The Echo Sub requires that you pair it with another Echo device, and while the Echo and Echo Plus are Amazon's optimized suggestions to use with it, many others can be paired as well, from the Echo Dot to the Echo Show 5. Now that the Echo Dot is currently on sale for $29.99, that would be the most affordable pick to start with if you don't own an Echo device already.

Pairing the Echo Sub with two Echo devices creates a wireless 2.1 stereo system with rich left/right stereo sound, though the two paired devices need to be identical. The Echo Sub delivers down-firing, 100W deep bass through its 6-inch woofer while the Amazon Alexa app allows you to set everything up easily. Once connected, you'll be able to start streaming music from services like Amazon Music Unlimited or Apple Music, play audiobooks, talk to Alexa, and much more.

Is the Harman Kardon Invoke the best voice speaker for Xbox?

Richard Devine — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Is the Harman Kardon Invoke the best voice speaker for Xbox?

Best answer: The Invoke is a good speaker but the power of the Alexa platform means you're better off getting an Amazon Echo instead.Better choice: Echo 2nd generation ($100)For diehards: Harman Kardon Invoke (From $61 at Amazon)

Alexa is a more powerful platform than Cortana

It's hardly surprising that you can do more with Alexa than you can with Cortana. While Microsoft's option started life on mobile, Amazon baked Alexa into the Echo from day one.

The different paths the two have taken have seen Alexa emerge as arguably the leader in the voice assistant space, with tens of thousands of skills and integrations with smart home products at its disposal.

By contrast, there are very few products out there that hook into Cortana. So if you're looking beyond just your Xbox (and you should), then Alexa is certainly a stronger choice.

Cortana can use Alexa, so just get Alexa

Microsoft and Amazon have partnered already to make their respective assistants talk to each other. That means Alexa can access Cortana and Cortana can access Alexa.

On your PC or mobile device this could be pretty useful, but when you're using a speaker, it's a slightly clumsy added step. And since Alexa is the stronger platform, it's the smarter choice.

The Invoke is really for Microsoft diehards

Besides the fact the Invoke is currently only officially on sale in the U.S. (Xbox voice assistant integration is the same right now), it's still really only for Microsoft diehards.

As a speaker, it's very good, with a great quality sound and a design that won't look out of place in any home. But the Amazon Echo also looks pretty good and has good sound quality.

And since they're both the same price right now, the deciding factor ought to be the platform behind them. And it's a no-brainer right now that unless you're a diehard Microsoft fan, Alexa is the platform to get.

Our pick

Amazon Echo 2nd generation

Alexa is a better assistant for a voice speaker

Cortana's abilities fall short of Alexa's, and unless you're a Microsoft diehard, Amazon's assistant will provide you with a more far-reaching solution.

For diehards

Harman Kardon Invoke

A good if flawed speaker

The Invoke is a very good speaker, but a Cortana platform means it's only really recommended for Microsoft diehards.

Microsoft wants Cortana to complement, not compete with, Alexa and Google Assistant

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:55:42 +0000

Cortana may not have seen the same sort of success as digital assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, but Microsoft now sees those platforms as an opportunity for success, not competitors. At a media event reported by Business Insider (via OnMSFT), Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the company wants to position Cortana as a skill for Alexa and Google Assistant, opening up valuable integrations for Office 365 subscribers.

In his remarks, Nadella dismissed the idea of competing with Alexa directly. Rather, he cited Cortana's potential as a valuable skill:

Would it be better off, for example, to make Cortana a valuable skill that someone who is using Alexa can call? Or should we try to compete with Alexa? We, quite frankly, decided that we would do the former. Because Cortana needs to be that skill for anyone who is a Microsoft Office 365 subscriber.

And while Microsoft and Google aren't exactly known for working together, Nadella was open to making Cortana available through Google Assistant as well:

And you should also be able to use [Cortana] on Google Assistant. You should be able to use it on Alexa, just like you use our apps on Android or iOS. So that's at least how we want to go.

Speaking further, Nadella acknowledged that Microsoft missed the boat on penetrating the smart speaker market. If it were to enter with its own speaker now, Nadella explained, it would have to come up with something truly unique:

We are very mindful of the categories we enter where we can do something unique. A good one is speakers. To me the challenge is, exactly what would we be able to do in that category that is going to be unique?

Microsoft's strategy with Cortana is similar to its strategy on mobile in recent years. Rather than competing directly with Apple and Google in the smartphone space, Microsoft has shifted to providing its services as apps across its former competitors. Indeed, Microsoft is now looking to reposition Cortana even in its own products as the AI backbone across its services.

While Microsoft does have at least one Cortana-powered smart speaker on the market, the Harman Kardon Invoke, it never managed to take off. On the other side, Amazon and Google have managed to stake a claim on a significant portion of the market with their ecosystems of smart speakers and displays. Cortana is also generally more limited in its skillset than Alexa and Google Assistant – though it is tightly integrated with Microsoft's own services.

Microsoft has already started working hand-in-hand with Amazon, bringing Cortana and Alexa closer together and allowing Echo devices to interact with Xbox One consoles. Whether Google and Microsoft can work out a similar partnership remains to be seen.

How to use Nanoleaf smart lights with Cortana or Amazon Echo

jez@windowscentral.com (Jez Corden) — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:00:02 +0000

In this guide, we explain how you can use IFTTT to control Nanoleaf and other types of smart lights, using Cortana or Alexa voice commands, either via a PC or a connected smart speaker like the Harman Kardon Invoke or Amazon Echo.

Products used in this guide

Amazon: Harman Kardon Invoke ($64)
Amazon: Nanoleaf Light Panels ($210)
Amazon: Amazon Echo (From $50)

How to connect your Nanoleaf panels to Cortana or Alexa through IFTTT

First, make an account on IFTTT. (This service allows you to set up custom interactions between a wide array of services.)
Sign in to your Microsoft account{.nofollow} and your Nanoleaf account.
Go back to IFTTT, and select My Applets at the top.
Click on New Applet. (It should open a new "If This Then That" template as seen below.)

Click This to set up the trigger.
Search for Cortana of Amazon Echo speakers. (Simply select the "This" trigger you want to use.)

Next, you must choose a trigger, so select Say a specific phrase.

IFTTT will ask you to type phrases to use when talking to Cortana or Alexa to activate your light panels, as well as Cortana's response.

When you're happy, click Create Trigger.
Select That to set up the action on the template screen.
Search for Nanoleaf.

Next, you have an array of options. For this guide, I'm selecting Change Nanoleaf Light Panels or Canvas color, to have Cortana start a specific Nanoleaf Light Panel color configuration.

Select the Nanoleaf panels you want to use and connect to your account. As well as any other information required of IFTTT.(Note: If you don't see your Nanoleaf panels inside IFTTT, you may need to enable the "Cloud Sync" setting via the Nanoleaf Android or iOS app.)

Hit Next.
On the next screen, select Finish to complete the creation of your applet.

Wait five to ten minutes for IFTTT to sync up with your services, then give it a try.

Our top equipment picks

Cortana voice controls

Harman Kardon Invoke

The best (and well, only) Cortana speaker.

We recommend the Harman Kardon Invoke for controlling smart devices via IFTTT and Cortana. While Cortana's ecosystem is nowhere near as rich as Amazon's at a native level, IFTTT can do the heavy lifting if you don't fancy an Amazon-connected device listening in your home.

Light it up

Nanoleaf Light Panels

Nanoleaf makes home-automation fun (and colorful).

The Nanoleaf Light Panels starter kit is a great way to begin your home automation journey. Complete with nine panels, the starter kit can bring literally millions of color tones to your office or living space, and you can fully integrate it with Cortana or Amazon Echo.

Additional Equipment

Amazon Echo (From $50 at Amazon)

If you're hesitant to invest Microsoft's Cortana ecosystem, an Amazon Echo is also a great voice-assisted speaker.

Razer teams with Amazon to let Alexa control Chroma lighting effects, device settings

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:00:02 +0000

At CES 2019 today, Razer announced that it's teaming up with Amazon to allow Alexa to control lighting effects and device settings with voice commands. As part of the partnership, Alexa will be baked into Razer's Synapse 3 software, allowing games to query the digital assistant through their Razer headset to control not only their Chroma lighting effects and settings but all of their smart home devices and connected Alexa skills as well.

"This is an amazing look forward for Razer into a future for gamers where the full potential of gaming gear is seamless and intuitively controlled through voice activation, synchronization and connected cloud services," says RazerCo-Founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan."Razer Chroma is an incredibly powerful gaming feature, and we're motivated to work closely with Amazon to build this integration with Alexa, enabling users to change lighting effects, profiles, start games, change settings and more."

The integration is set to roll out to Synapse 3 sometime during Q2 2019, allowing those in the U.S. and Canada to connect compatible Razer devices to Alexa and adding a new module that will allow commands to be issued directly to Alexa or through connected microphones.

Razer provided a look at some of the commands you'll be able to take advantage of once the integration is available:

"Alexa, ask Chroma to change my lighting profile to FPS mode."
"Alexa, sync all of my devices to my team color."
"Alexa, ask Chroma to start Overwatch"
"Alexa, ask Razer Synapse to decrease my DPI to 200."
"Alexa, ask Razer to change Audio settings to Movie mode."

Finally, Razer and Amazon are also working together with game developers to add in-game functions for Alexa via the Chroma SDK.

How to add notes to Microsoft OneNote with an Amazon Echo

richard.devine@futurenet.com (Richard Devine) — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 12:00:03 +0000

The Amazon Echo is the most recognizable smart speaker with its Alexa AI assistant compatible with a large number of products and services. While there's no official Microsoft skill for OneNote, thanks to the developer community, you can still use your voice to add things to your notebook.

Products used in this guide

Amazon: Amazon Echo ($100)
Amazon: OnePad Alexa skill (Free)
Microsoft: OneNote (Free)

For the purposes of this guide, we're referencing the standard Amazon Echo, but the process is identical for all Echo products, and it also works just fine with the devices with screens, such as the Echo Show and the Echo Spot.

How to add notes to Microsoft OneNote with an Amazon Echo

The process is very simple, requiring you to only add the third-party Alexa skill that makes it all happen and link your Microsoft account.

Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or in your browser.
Open the skills and games section.
Search for the OnePad skill in the search box.

Tap enable to add the skill to your Amazon Echo.
Login to your Microsoft account from the web browser window that pops up to link your account to the skill.

No Microsoft Account login information is added to the skill directly, and it uses a standard OAuth process for authenticating your account.

How to add notes to Microsoft OneNote

The skill will automatically just add things you tell Alexa to your OneNote notebook without you needing to set anything up.

To add items from your Amazon Echo, simply speak to Alexa as follows:

"Alexa ask OnePad to note (insert note here.)"

Alexa will then respond with:

"You want to save (your note) in (your notebook section), is it correct?"

To confirm simply say "yes" or if it's wrong say "no" and try again.

By default, OnePad will store in Quick Notes, but you can add notes to any section of your OneNote notebook by simply telling Alexa to save it there. If you don't have a section with the name you want, you can just tell Alexa to add a note there and it will create the section for you.

What you can't do is use Alexa to see what's already in your OneNote notebook, and you're only able to add things using your Echo. Regardless, it's still a very handy way to jot down things as they pop into your head without having to reach for your phone or laptop.

Also make sure you speak clearly and not too fast, otherwise the Echo won't be able to process it and you'll get an error.

Our top equipment picks

All you need is one of Amazon's Echo products to enjoy voice command bliss. We think the second-generation Amazon Echo is the one to go for.

Tell Alexa

Amazon Echo

A great smart speaker to have in your life

An excellent companion for any room, and now with added integration with your Microsoft OneNote notebook.

The regular second-generation Echo is the best all-around choice in Amazon's range, mixing a great balance of stylish design, good sound quality, and an affordable price.

Additional equipment

The Echo isn't the only product that's great to put around your home; there are some fantastic alternatives that cost less or even have a display.

Amazon Echo Dot ($50 at Amazon)

The third-generation Echo Dot is a huge improvement on its predecessor in both sound and looks, while remaining compact and extremely affordable.

Amazon Echo Spot ($130 at Amazon)

Alexa takes on a new dimension when you add a screen, and the Echo Spot is a perfect companion for the office or any room in the home.

How to use an Amazon Echo with Xbox One, Series X, or Series S for voice commands

jez@windowscentral.com (Jez Corden) — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 20:00:02 +0000

Microsoft has enabled Amazon Echo support for Xbox One, granting you complete control over not only your console, but also a connected TV via the Xbox's HDMI-in port and IR blaster. In this guide, we'll look at how to get started with an Amazon Echo using an Xbox One console.

Note: Amazon Echo voice commands for Xbox One are currently available only in the U.K. and U.S.

Products used in this guide

Amazon: Amazon Echo ($30+)
Amazon: Xbox One X ($500+)
Amazon: Xbox One S ($300+)

How to get started

First, make sure you've fully set up your Amazon Echo and Xbox One so that they're on the same home Wi-Fi network. Refer to their respective user guides on how to do this.
Press the Home button on your Xbox controller to open the guide.

Navigate right to the Settings menu.
On the Settings menu, navigate down to Kinect & Devices. Select Digital assistants.

Sign in if you're prompted, and then tick Enable digital assistants to ensure you can connect to the Amazon Echo.
Next, point your web browser to http://Alexa.amazon.com (or .co.uk), and sign in with your connected Amazon account.
Select Skills from the left menu.
Search for Xbox to find the official Microsoft Xbox skill for Alexa, or click this link.

Select the Xbox skill then click Enable.
Next, you will be asked to sign in with the Microsoft account you are using on your Xbox console.
Alexa will ask which devices and assistants you want to link. Select the ones you want then hit done.
If all went to plan, you should now be able to control your Xbox via your Amazon Echo by saying "Alexa, tell Xbox to [[ do something ]] ".

Xbox skill (Image credit: Windows Central)

Using the Amazon Echo, you can utilize pretty much any command that works via Cortana or the deprecated Kinect, in addition to some new ones. Simply asking Alexa to launch a game will now turn on your console, sign you in, and launch the game in one command. For a full list of what Alexa can do for your console, either ask "Alexa, ask Xbox what can I say?" or hit this link for a list of commands from us.

Our top equipment picks

There are a range of Amazon Echo devices on the market, but you can't really beat the value of the $50 basic Echo Dot, particularly if you're not sold on the ecosystem as a whole. If you want to get into smart home products in general, the Echo Plus comes baked with a smart home hub for attaching voice-controllable lights, plug sockets, and more.

Affordable option

Amazon Echo Dot

Now an essential piece of Xbox kit

The Echo Dot is the cheapest Echo option. Coated in a cozy fabric and directional microphones, the Echo Dot can pick up your voice from anywhere in the room, issuing commands to your console with ease. The audio quality isn't great though, so music lovers may want to spend a little bit more.

Mid-range option

Amazon Echo

Xbox commands and great for music

Pricier than the Echo Dot, the basic Amazon Echo comes with a range of fabric options to match popular home décor styles and has a far better speaker than the Echo Dot, which is great for music apps like Spotify.

For smart home fans

Amazon Echo Plus

Getting serious about smart homes and sound

The Echo Plus is the most powerful of the Echo range, complete with line-in connections for your CD or vinyl player, a smart home hub for controlling connected lights and switches, and more powerful neodymium speakers for a premium sound experience.

If all you're looking for is voice commands, the Echo Dot will surely suffice and comes highly recommended. For Spotify and other music app subscribers, an Amazon Echo or Echo Plus might be a better pick owing to the improved audio quality. If you want to take your voice-connected smart home to the next level, your only option is the Echo Plus, thanks to its baked-in smart home hub. Personally, I'm rocking the basic Amazon Echo, and find it to be an essential part of my Xbox toolkit.

How to sync Amazon Echo with Microsoft To-Do

Richard Devine — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:00:03 +0000

Outside the U.S., there is no Cortana smart speaker, but in many places there is Amazon's Alexa, instead. And thanks to its developer community, you can use your Amazon Echo to add tasks and shopping lists to your Microsoft To-Do account.

Products used in this guide

Amazon: Amazon Echo ($100)
Amazon: Wonder Do It Alexa skill (Free)
Microsoft: Microsoft To-Do (Free)

(For the purposes of this guide we're referencing the standard Amazon Echo, but the process is identical for all Echo products, and it also works just fine with the devices with screens, such as the Echo Show and the Echo Spot.)

How to sync your Amazon Echo to Microsoft To-Do

Amazon Echo (Image credit: Windows Central)

The process is very simple, requiring you to only add the third-party Alexa skill that makes it all happen and link your Microsoft account. At this time it only works with a personal Microsoft Account, and school or business Office 365 accounts cannot be used. Just follow these steps:

Open the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or in your browser.
Open the skills and games section.
Search for the Wonder Do It skill in the search box.

Tap enable to add the skill to your Amazon Echo.
Log in to your Microsoft account from the web browser window that pops up to link your account to the skill.

No Microsoft Account login information is added to the skill directly, and it uses a standard OAuth process for authenticating your account.

How to add tasks and shopping lists to Microsoft To-Do

Amazon Echo

The skill will automatically just add things you tell Alexa to your Microsoft To-Do lists without you needing to set anything up. Every time you add a task it will go into the "Tasks" list. Any items you tell Alexa to add to your shopping list will go into a new list in Microsoft To-Do called "Alexa Shopping List."

To add items from your Amazon Echo, simply speak to Alexa as follows:

"Alexa add (insert task here) to my to-do list."
"Alexa, add (insert item here) to my shopping list."

Both are standard Alexa voice commands and will add to your respective Alexa lists. The Wonder Do It skill will then sync both to your Microsoft To-Do account so you can access them on all your devices, wherever you are.

What you can't do is use Alexa to see what's on your Microsoft To-Do lists, and you're only able to add things using your Echo. It's also important to note that items added will be removed from the Alexa Shopping and To-do lists once synced to Microsoft To-Do.

Our top equipment picks

All you need is one of Amazon's Echo products to enjoy voice command bliss. We think the second-generation Amazon Echo is the one to go for.

Tell Alexa

Amazon Echo

A great smart speaker to have in your life

An excellent companion for any room, and now with added integration with your Microsoft To-Do lists.

The regular second-generation Echo is the best all-around choice in Amazon's range, mixing a great balance of stylish design, good sound quality and an affordable price.

Additional equipment

The Echo isn't the only product that's great to put around your home; there are some fantastic alternatives that cost less or even have a display.

Amazon Echo Dot ($50 at Amazon)

The third-generation Echo Dot is a huge improvement on its predecessor in both sound and looks, while remaining compact and extremely affordable.

Amazon Echo Spot ($130 at Amazon)

Alexa takes on a new dimension when you add a screen, and the Echo Spot is a perfect companion for the office or any room in the home.

Skype calling arriving soon for Amazon Echo devices

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:21:07 +0000

Following its initial announcement in September, it looks like Skype calling is nearly ready to roll out to Amazon Echo devices. Though the feature doesn't appear to be available just yet, a Microsoft page (via WalkingCat) announcing its launch, complete with instructions on how to get started, has gone live, indicating it's coming relatively soon.

To start making Skype calls with Alexa, you'll have to enable Skype integration through the "Communications" portion of the Settings menu in your Amazon Alexa app on either iOS or Android. Once enabled, you'll be able to start Skype calls by using phrases like "Alexa, Skype mom" or "Alexa, call dad on Skype." When someone is calling you, you can simply say "Alexa, pick up" to answer the call.

According to Microsoft, Skype calling is compatible with all Echo devices release thus far, going back to the first generation Echo. On the Echo Show, you'll be able to make video calls as well. When you link Skype and Alexa, you'll also get 100 free minutes of calls per month for two months.

As of this writing, the option to link Skype with Alexa doesn't appear to be live just yet within the Alexa app. However, now that the Microsoft page is now live, it doesn't look like it's too far off.

Here's an early peek at Skype calling on Amazon Echo devices

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 16:57:48 +0000

At its last big product launch in September, Amazon announced that Skype calling is coming to its Echo devices. The feature has yet to launch, but a couple of new promotional videos leaked, courtesy of Microsoft watcher WalkingCat, on Twitter, showing off how simple Skype calling will be once it finally arrives.

The pair of videos are pretty short, but they give us a quick peek at both Skype audio and video calls using a standard Amazon Echo and Echo Show. In both cases, calls are initiated with the simple command: "Alexa, Skype mom."

pic.twitter.com/ELaw4IzQCI pic.twitter.com/ELaw4IzQCI— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) November 15, 2018 November 15, 2018

There's no word on when Skype calling is expected to launch in full for Echo devices, but it's likely not too far off.

With Skype integration, Microsoft will be the first to take advantage of Amazon's communications API for third-party apps, and this is just the latest example of the two companies partnering up. Alexa and Cortana can now work together to accomplish tasks, and you can even use your Echo to issue voice commands to your Xbox One.

See at Amazon

Skype calling is coming to Amazon Echo devices

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 18:49:04 +0000

Amazon is showing off a whole lot of new Echo goodies today, including everything from a revamped Echo Show to a smart plug and even a microwave. But for Microsoft followers, the company made an interesting announcement in the shadow off all these new devices: Skype calls are coming to an Echo device near you.

Skype integration is made possible by Amazon's choice to open up its communications API to third-party apps, and Skype is the first partner. From Amazon:

We're opening up our communications API to third-party developers.And, we're excited announce that Skype will be the first partner to use these APIs. With this integration, we're expanding the global network of contacts that Alexa customers can reach to the hundreds of millions of people using Skype around the world. Customers can also enjoy Skype's low-cost calling package.

If you're a heavy Skype user, that's sure to be great news, but it leaves Harman Kardon's Cortana-powered Invoke smart speaker in an awkward position that only compounds its struggle to stand out from Amazon's offerings.

The ability to make Skype calls was arguably the only major advantage that Invoke could tout over the Echo line, but that's disappearing with this announcement. It's a win for consumers, to be sure. But it makes it harder to justify an Invoke when compared to the more expansive skillset of the Echo platform.

Perhaps that has something to do with today's $50 fire sale on the Invoke at Best Buy.

This is just the latest example of a partnership between Amazon and Microsoft that has been growing for some time. Alexa and Cortana have joined hands to work with one another, and your Echo will soon be able to act as a voice control input for your Xbox One.

For a rundown on everything Amazon announced today, be sure to check out Android Central's full coverage.

See at Amazon

Amazon Echo Dot is a fantastic $50 Kinect replacement for Xbox One

Matt Brown — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 12:00:03 +0000

Microsoft recently rolled out deeper voice assistant integration on Xbox One, hooking up select smart speakers to the console. Following unprecedented growth of connected home platforms, the new "Xbox Skill" allows Cortana and Alexa-enabled devices to feed commands to the platform. Building on strong foundations established by Kinect, this brings further convenience to daily interactions.

Despite powering Xbox One voice commands from launch, Microsoft has slowly phased out Kinect, even for existing owners. Not only is the sensor hard to purchase today, but its now-mandatory adapter for modern consoles has been discontinued, making the accessory near-impossible to use. However, the Xbox Skill revives much of Kinect's original functionality, lining up a suitable $50 alternative for many.

See at Amazon

Alexa, meet Xbox One

Xbox One controller (Image credit: Windows Central)

The Amazon Echo smart speaker range has flourished, all hooking into its Alexa digital assistant. Alexa has pushed Amazon to become a leader in home automation, with an assortment of home accessories deeply integrated into the platform. At the lowest end of the line is Amazon Echo Dot, a small Alexa-enabled speaker, without comprimising on features seen in pricier counterparts. And costing just $50 for its latest revision, it's an unrivaled entry point for Amazon's digital future.

While the Amazon Echo doesn't pack the motion controls that defined Kinect, it sports its most-used features. The value was in its voice controls, bringing snappy shortcuts for the Xbox One OS. Microsoft has since started drawing this functionality away from Kinect, and there's not been anything comparable for gamers

The Xbox Skill revives most of Kinect's voice command capabilities, with support for console power controls, software startup, and general OS navigation. It's limited to Skip Ahead, Alpha, and Beta members of the Xbox Insider Program in the U.S. right now, but we expect a wider public rollout in the coming months. Even in a pre-release state Alexa integration looking strong, allowing for improved natural language with responsiveness that's close Kinect's original local console commands.

Xbox One voice commands on a budget

The Amazon Echo Dot is an entry-level speaker, packing Alexa's core functionality into a low-cost, lightweight body. It features the same microphone array seen in other Amazon Echo devices, delivering responsive recognition throughout varying distances and conditions. And with its Micro USB connector, you can power it directly with your Xbox One console.

While the integrated speaker isn't great, it's not necessary when angled as a Kinect replacement. Higher-end models provide further flexibility to explore Amazon's offerings beyond Xbox, but as always, these come at a premium. Furthermore, the small hockey puck-style design fits nicely next to a console, with a black or white finish to match.

If you're considering a Kinect in 2018, piecing together the sensor and adapter can be expensive via resellers. The Amazon Echo Dot costs just $50 for its revised second generation, with regular discounts directly through Amazon. In its pre-release state, the Alexa Xbox integration isn't flawless, but it's a strong foundation for the future. Alexa improves on areas where Cortana previously faltered, with more responsive commands, generally improved natural language, and a larger worldwide presence. Motion control holdouts may want to look elsewhere, but as Alexa's foothold grows, this could steadily become a must-have Xbox accessory. And for $50, it's a steal.

Also, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Xbox One smart speakers if you're looking for a premium alternative.

See at Amazon

Read: Best Alexa and Cortana voice speakers for Xbox One

It looks like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are coming to Xbox One

Jez Corden — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:31:18 +0000

We've been hearing for months that Microsoft was working on Alexa support for Xbox One, complete with voice control support via compatible Amazon Echo speakers. Today, we've seen hard evidence that not only shows Alexa support is coming, but also support for Google Assistant.

Since the death of Kinect, Microsoft hasn't really provided users with a decent alternative for controlling your console via voice commands. Sure, you can use a headset to speak with Cortana, but who is wearing a headset while watching a movie, when all you want to do is control the volume on your TV?

This picture comes to us from a reliable source who is familiar with Amazon and Microsoft's efforts to link Alexa and Cortana. In upcoming Xbox One builds, the Kinect & Devices menu should have a new "Digital Assistants" section, which lets you enable Alexa, Google Assistant, and Cortana, for use on your Xbox One. It then directs you to install the Xbox skills app for those respective platforms to get connected. The full range of features for those assistants remains unknown, but it could bring back many of the voice-assisted features abandoned Kinect users are yearning for.

Microsoft dropped the ball on Cortana's potential, pivoting her away from consumer capabilities and more into the productivity arena. As such, Cortana will soon be an "app" for Amazon Echo and probably other connected speakers, although she is available in a dedicated US-only speaker built by Harman/Kardon, called the Invoke. It looks like Microsoft is allowing Amazon and Google to step up to give us back some of those voice-assisted dedicated microphone features too.

As always, plans can change at any time before launch, but I expect we'll see an official announcement about this one sooner rather than later. Former Xbox console marketing lead Albert Penello recently joined Amazon specifically to grow the Echo's presence in gaming. With Kinect out of the picture, integrating other connected speakers with Xbox is a total no-brainer.

You can grab an Amazon Echo Dot speaker for as little as $39.99. If you want a higher-quality speaker, you can grab a regular Echo (in a range of colors) for $99, or a smart-home hub version for $149.

See Amazon Echo at Amazon

How to set up a smart home using Windows 10 and Amazon Echo

Richard Devine — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 12:00:00 +0000

Even if you don't use Android or iOS, you can set up a full-featured smart home and feel like you're living in the future. It requires only one word: Alexa.

Amazon's artificial intelligence platform that's baked into the Echo and other products is all you really need. With an Amazon Echo and your Windows 10 PC, you have all the infrastructure that's required to get going.

Why the Amazon Echo and Alexa?

Amazon Echo

To be clear, this isn't a complete workaround, and there will be products you just can't set up to work with Alexa without using an iPhone or an Android device. But the benefit Alexa has over something such as Apple's HomeKit is that you don't need a mobile device to interact with it.

HomeKit still requires an app, but Alexa does not. You just talk to it (or "her," if you prefer). And honestly, it's a much better way to interact with your connected home than tapping on a screen. And $49 for an Echo Dot is a much better investment than a new phone or tablet, especially if you're just looking to get in on the fun of a smart home.

See at Amazon

How to set up Amazon Echo with Windows 10

You don't need a phone to set up Alexa and the Amazon Echo, you just need a web browser. Amazon may not support Windows 10 Mobile with an app, but it recognizes that not everyone uses an iPhone or an Android phone.

The setup process is incredibly straightforward. Hit the link below, and we'll walk you through it step-by-step.

How to set up an Amazon Echo on Windows 10

How to add support to Alexa

Alexa web app

Supported hardware interacts with Alexa and the Amazon Echo through "Skills." You add these to the same web app that you used (as directed above) to set up the Echo on your PC.

In the sidebar, you'll see two useful options to get your smart home going: Skills and smart home. The former is where everything that can hook into Alexa lives, while the latter is more targeted towards the products we're looking at here.

Some of them, such as Hue lights, if already set up will be found automatically and allow you to start interacting. Others require a dedicated skill to be enabled.

The key here is that you know what you're buying works with Alexa. Manufacturers are pretty upfront about declaring this support in product descriptions. If it's supported, it'll work in one of the two methods mentioned above.

What you can use with Alexa

In short, a lot of products work with Alexa. Well-known products such as Nest and Philips Hue both have Alexa integration, so you can tell your Echo to change the temperature or turn off the lights. Even this is basic, and you can get much more involved.

Here are just some of the Alexa-supported smart home gadgetry:

Naturally, Amazon is the best place to check out what supports Alexa, and you'll find every single product that's available for sale in its catalog.

Check out the full list of Amazon Alexa supported products

Alexa on Windows 10 PCs

Announced at CES 2018, Amazon is bringing Alexa to Windows 10 PCs in partnership initially with companies like ASUS, Acer, and HP. In theory, this could negate the need for an Amazon Echo, indeed, Alexa as a platform is starting to branch out far beyond just Amazon's hardware.

In practice right now, you'll still have the very best experience with Alexa on an Amazon Echo. And of course, a PC, even a laptop, isn't as convenient as a small speaker in any room in your home. But it expands the reach and makes Alexa even more convenient to integrate into your lives, and your home.

There's currently no specific timeframe for the first of these PCs to appear, but it's an exciting new expansion to what your smart home will be able to do with Windows 10.

That covers the basics. The fact that Alexa is not tied to a mobile platform is a bonus for Windows users, and it gives you an opportunity to get involved. Some products still require an app to get going, so you might have to find access to a supported phone, but the best ones, such as Nest, also let you use a browser.

If you have tips for using Amazon Alexa with Windows, be sure to drop them into the comments.

See at Amazon

Updated January 15, 2018: Added information about the forthcoming Alexa integration with some Windows 10 PCs.

Amazon brings Destiny 2 Ghost to life with Alexa

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 17:38:15 +0000

Amazon recently launched a special "Ghost skill" for Alexa, allowing Destiny 2 players to do things like automatically equip loadouts or connect with friends with Echo voice commands. But Amazon is also going all-in with a limited edition physical Destiny 2 Ghost so you can bring your in-game partner to life.

Up for preorder at $89.99, the Ghost is a functional replica of an in-game Ghost, allowing you to speak to it and make commands just as you would with your Echo. The only catch is that the Ghost itself doesn't have Alexa built in. Rather, it uses Wi-Fi to connect to an Alexa-enabled device you already own, meaning you'll already need to have an Echo device or something else with Alexa built-in. Here's a full look at the Ghost's features, from Amazon:

With the Ghost you can use voice commands to equip loadouts, connect with friends, explore the universe and much more
Integrated Wi-Fi connected device that pairs with your Alexa enabled device to bring the in-game Ghost character to life
The Destiny 2 Ghost responds exclusively to the Official Destiny 2 Ghost Skill by Bungie and Activision
Built-in LED activates on Ghost's responses
The Destiny 2 Ghost is not required to enable and use the Destiny 2 Ghost Skill
The Destiny 2 Ghost works with PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC devices

If you're a big Destiny fan, it's certainly a novel way to add more flavor to your gameplay. Of course, you could also just use the Ghost skill with your standard Echo — but where's the fun in that?

The limited edition Destiny 2 Ghost is available for preorder now at $89.99 and will be released on December 19.

What are Zigbee and Z-Wave? This is everything you need to know.

Jerry Hildenbrand — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 12:00:02 +0000

Maybe the most fun part of new tech and internets of things and stuff is all the crazy names attached to it. And there are a lot of them.

Two of the most popular, for now anyway, are Zigbee and Z-Wave. They are fun to say and have similar sounding names and are mostly used for the same things. But there are some differences. We've seen more than a few questions about them and since we like to geek out over this sort of thing, we can talk about what they are and what they are used for. And bees.

What is Z-Wave?

Z-Wave (or ZWave or Z Wave) is a way for two or more things to communicate wirelessly. It's a low-energy mesh network where devices can communicate directly with each other by sending very reliable and very small low-latency bursts of data, but it still requires a hub or gateway so a device can control all the other devices. It's almost exclusively used for residential applications — you use it around your home or small office — while other standards (like Zigbee, which we'll get to in a minute) are better suited for industrial and wide-scale commercial applications.

Z-Wave is represented by names we already know, and there are 1,700 different products that are Z-Wave-certified.

Z-Wave is very well suited for home automation. Devices like door locks, thermostats, and light switches don't send large packages of data and often only send or receive data while they are actually in use. Your garage may have a security system in place, but the door opener only needs to know when it's time to open or close the door. Data speeds are capped at 100kbps and the maximum recommended distance between mesh nodes is 40 meters, though older Z-Wave gear has a maximum throughput of 9.6 kbps and a 30-meter range. A data packet can hop between four nodes before it's discarded but Z-Wave's network mapping is pretty good so the shortest distance with the fewest hops will usually be used.

Z-Wave transmits on the unlicensed Part 15 ISM band (Texas Instruments .pdf file link) at 908.42MHz in North America and 868.42MHz in Europe. Other countries have specific frequencies that Z-Wave is regulated to use and all this is important because Z-Wave can use the same radio frequency bands as consumer cordless telephones. This isn't an ideal situation, but it does keep Z-Wave completely clear of the crowded 2.4GHz band that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a host of less popular standards use.

Z-Wave was introduced in 2001, and as of 2012 is an option in the ITU's (International Telecommunications Union) G.9959 standard for wireless devices under 1GHz.

What is Zigbee?

Zigbee is also a low-power wireless mesh network standard, designed specifically so devices will have a long battery life. Zigbee can be used for residential applications and it works well, but it's also well suited for industrial and large-scale commercial use. The network layer supports star (a central hub and devices connected to it) and tree (groups of star networks connected to one linear backbone) networks as well as a generic mesh node-to-node layout. Every Zigbee network needs at least one controller device but can support more than one.

Zigbee is designed to work well in places where wireless is congested, but it also works great in our homes.

Support for numerous types of network topology and support for multiple coordinating devices are part of what makes Zigbee a good choice for more complicated applications. Zigbee support is included in microcontrollers with their own flash storage so automation routines can be built and triggered as needed by software. Other types of Zigbee devices include routers which can act as a network extender and ZEDs — Zigbee End Devices which can only receive data from a coordinator device and can't relay data back.

Zigbee is one of the global standards covered by the IEEE 802.15 group. It operates in the unlicensed portion of the 2.4 GHz bands but can also operate in the unlicensed 902 to 928 MHz (Australia, North America, and South America) and the 868 to 868.6 MHz (Europe) ISM bands. Transfer rates cap at 250 kbps in the 2.4 GHz band, 40 kbps in the 915 MHz band, and 20 kbps in the 868 MHz band. Data rates will be slower than the maximum, partly because Zigbee has more overhead. It was designed to operate in "hostile" (think crowded, congested and always changing) 2.4 GHz band and has built-in collision avoidance and retry abilities. Typical range is between 10 and 20 meters depending on any obstruction, but in outdoor long-range applications, a range of 1,500 meters (line of sight) is possible as the output power of a Zigbee radio can reach 20 dBm at 100 mW (a lot stronger than you think).

Zigbee was named after the dance worker honeybees perform when they return to the hive. Bee's zig-zag. Zig. Bee. And yes, I'm serious. 🐝

So which is better?

That's going to depend on who you ask and what they are doing that uses either standard.

Z-Wave is more mature and easier to develop applications for. Almost every device will use the same Intel MCS-51 microcontroller and familiar names like Carrier, Honeywell, Black & Decker and Samsung are part of the Z-Wave Alliance and help keep Z-Wave robust yet simple in design and operation.

When it comes to consumer products, one is not better than the other.

Zigbee is great for devices that are hard to reach. A Zigbee certified device must have a battery life of over 2 years to pass testing. the protocol is just really friendly when it comes to power requirements. But Zigbee networks can be far more complicated, and even if you're producing a simple switch you'll need to be able to support any network configuration. Zigbee also competes for bandwidth with high-speed protocols like Bluetooth and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) that are built to use every bit of bandwidth possible for applications like voice or video transmission. This is why multiple network topographies and great collision and retry features are a big part of the standard.

So, yeah. It really depends on what you're trying to do! KwickSet's deadbolt locks are a perfect use case for Z-Wave. A small hub in your house lets you control up to 230 devices like a door lock with your phone, a controller, over the internet, or through an Amazon Echo. Zigbee is a better fit for something that needs to be able to stay connected under any conditions. Something like this SHURE wireless microphone developed in 2011 that was able to transfer in real time and in a very congested area. Though these microphones are now end-of-life with the dawn of 600 MHz cellular connections.

For the things we as consumers love to use, both are great. The characteristics of Z-Wave make it more robust in a house filled with walls and multiple floors, but Zigbee devices are also trouble-free in the home most of the time. And there are cool gadgets that use either protocol or even both. You can do amazing things in your home with SmartThings or Wink hub and control it all with your phone or you watch or something like an Amazon Echo or Cortana spekaer.

More: Using an Amazon Echo with Windows 10 is easy!

Kinect and Cortana should have been Xbox's Amazon Echo

Jez Corden — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 13:00:01 +0000

You were accused of being a CIA spying tool for the living room, blamed for the Xbox One's inflated 2013 price point, hated for your less-than-reliable voice recognition, and laughed at for lackluster games offering.

Yet, I miss you.

Sure, sometimes "Xbox, pause" would require more than three attempts to register. The motion tracking wasn't exactly stellar in most games, and it was pretty damn huge. Finding a place for it around my TVs has always been an issue.

But there was always something mystifying and magical about Kinect, with its beady HAL-9000-like eye and flashing IR tracking lights. Coming home from work to say "Xbox, on," and watching my TV and Xbox boot up, and sign me in with facial recognition felt futuristic. The games might have been unable to compete with mainstream titles, but I had a lot of fun playing Fruit Ninja and Commander Cherry with both younger, and non-gaming relatives.

The irony of Kinect being side-lined is all the more painful given the rise of Alexa and the Amazon Echo, which is essentially a similar proposition. With the introduction of Cortana, Microsoft would have beat the Amazon Echo to the punch had it nurtured and iterated upon Kinect, but alas, like many things Microsoft attempts to do — they screwed up (or gave up).

The Amazon Echo.

Now Kinect, Cortana, and the idea of voice controls on the Xbox One are all but a forgotten memory. There was a time when every party chat I was in was full of "Xbox record that," the signature chorus of Xbox gamers pwning n00bz. Alas, silence, as most gamers simply press Guide + X to make clips now.

The technology that powers Kinect might have shown up in other Microsoft products, like Windows Hello and HoloLens, but its failure on Xbox is looking like it could have wider ramifications for Microsoft's assistive A.I. efforts, most notably Cortana.

Cortana vs. Alexa

Having used both Kinect with Cortana and an Amazon Echo extensively, it's quite plain which of the two is a better product. The Amazon Echo is far better at recognizing individual voices, responding to complex commands, and has a lot of tricks that beat Cortana running on an Xbox One, most notably when it comes to shopping and integration with other services.

Cortana is named after the A.I. character in the Halo video game series. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Cortana on Xbox is painfully slow, the commands are less intuitive than the previous "Xbox" call-sign commands, and her feature set is nowhere near as useful as promised in early videos. Development for Cortana on Xbox has practically halted, with no meaningful improvements or updates in the best part of a year.

Cortana and Alexa are teaming up in the near future, with both services becoming available across Amazon Echo devices and Windows PCs. You'll be able to summon either Cortana or Alexa at will, leveraging the separate toolkits of both assistants. It seems a little odd that Microsoft would piggyback on Alexa rather than develop their own assistant, but perhaps not, given how little attention Cortana has received even on Windows 10.

Microsoft had the technology and the software to beat Alexa to the punch years ago, but it didn't. Harman/Kardon is working on an Echo-like Cortana speaker, but it'll likely only hit shelves in the US, before flopping out of existence entirely. Assisted speaker tech is still pretty niche, but it needn't have been with Xbox.

Is Kinect dead?

The Kinect 2.0 (bundled with the Xbox One in 2013) was scapegoated as the cause of the system costing $100 more than its PlayStation counterpart. It was also blamed for taking up system resources, preventing the Xbox One hitting 900p – 1080p resolutions were more frequently found in PlayStation 4 versions of multi-platform games. Microsoft stripped out much of the Kinect features to compensate over time, removing Snap Mode, dashboard motion tracking, and much more, to lighten the load on the OS for other features.

Nowadays, to use the Kinect you need to purchase a separate $40 USB adapter, as the Xbox One S (or the Xbox One X) doesn't have a Kinect port. Microsoft never released an updated version of Kinect powered by USB 3.0 for use with the S or X, presumably because they're done with the technology – or are they?

To use Kinect today, you're gonna need one of these adapters.

Oddly enough, some of the games making up the Xbox 2017 Fall lineup are, indeed, remastered Kinect games. Including Zoo Tycoon and a couple of Disney titles. Sure, they don't require Kinect, but support is there.

I have also been told by several individual sources that Cortana development for Xbox hasn't come to an end, but is merely awaiting a new type of framework that should solve some of the problems with speed and accuracy. The amount of Cortana skills the assistant is capable of using is set to increase too.

So, if Cortana development is still on-going, and new Kinect games are coming, why continue half-heartedly?

Kinect 3.0

Our Executive Editor Daniel Rubino has recently written about how Microsoft needs a media remote with voice controls in it, to streamline the process of accessing Cortana on Xbox. Indeed, you can use Cortana with any microphone attached to your console, but when you're using that microphone for party chat, it's not exactly as intuitive as a dedicated mic for the assistant, such as via a remote or Kinect itself.

Xbox media remote (Image credit: Windows Central)

Lots of newer laptops on the scene have something known as far-field audio technology that allows the laptop or PC to hear voice commands when you're away from the computer. Kinect already does this, using a powerful microphone array that is quite accurate when calibrated properly. For the vast majority of Xbox owners, though, having voice commands is still a niche use case.

Perhaps Microsoft should build a standalone Kinect 3.0, that, similarly to the Amazon Echo, can work both in conjunction with Xbox and independently of Xbox, maybe with phones instead. We're almost 5 years away from the launch of the Kinect 2.0, you have to imagine that Redmond could produce something smaller, less clunky, while retaining the power and functionality.

Kinect 3.0 could be positioned as something that can both take on Amazon's Alexa, Google's own home assistant solution, and other mobile assistants, while augmenting the experience on Xbox One and your TV.

The fact developers can plug into Cortana leveraging the Skills Kit SDK and the Universal Windows Platform, and the fact there is already an array of games and apps on Xbox One that utilize Kinect, puts it in a unique place to take on the Echo even from the back of the race – if someone at Redmond was to care about it.

Kinect and Cortana could be great

Sure, Xbox is primarily a gaming device, but there's no reason it can't be something more in the process. The features are there, the technology is there, and the interest in voice-assisted living room speakers is there, so why has Microsoft given up?

Maybe Redmond has something baking deep in its labs to work towards this goal, maybe it doesn't, but it's just a little frustrating how Kinect's great features got shelved in the whirlwind of negativity following 2013's botched reveal for no real reason. The rise of Alexa and the Amazon Echo proves that there was a market for this sort of service, yet for whatever reason, Microsoft rolled it back on Xbox rather than hit the gas.

Perhaps in the future they can turn things around – if the new framework I've been told about turns out to be a thing – or maybe Kinect will just join the Microsoft Band and Windows 10 Mobile as promising products Microsoft failed to nurture. As of writing, you can still pick up Kinect for around $50, but who knows for how much longer.

Microsoft and Amazon team up to integrate Cortana and Alexa

jez@windowscentral.com (Jez Corden) — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 11:33:00 +0000

Microsoft announced Cortana a few years ago as a personal, digital assistant that would help organize your life. Since then, Amazon's own Alexa assistant has completely leapfrogged Microsoft's own efforts, spawning a range of devices and skills dedicated to voice control.

Rather than attempt to compete head-to-head, Microsoft and Amazon are partnering to integrate their digital assistants with each other. You'll soon be able to talk to Cortana by saying, "Alexa, open Cortana" from an Alexa-powered device like the Echo, and vice versa.

"Cortana, open Alexa"

According to the New York Times report, the mentality behind the initiative is that by competing, Amazon and Microsoft are making their assistants less useful. Microsoft will continue pushing its own Cortana skills kit, but for features that Cortana is missing, and vice versa, users will be able to say "Cortana, open Alexa" and "Alexa, open Cortana" to get access to the different capabilities of each platform.

It might seem crazy, but given that the Harman Kardon Cortana-powered speaker has yet to emerge, and the fact both Cortana and Alexa aren't the default assistants available on either iOS or Android, the partnership makes sense. By working together, Microsoft and Amazon might have a shot at beating Google's assistant and Apple's Siri to the connected smart home of the future.

We'll have to wait and see to what extent this partnership will pay off. Having to say "Alexa, open Cortana" and "Cortana, open Alexa" to access the different skillsets seems clunky at best, but at least for those invested in the Windows ecosystem, picking up an Amazon Echo might make even more sense once these features come to fruition.

Invite Alexa into your home for less with Prime Day in the UK

Rich Edmonds — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 17:08:04 +0000

The Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are currently on sale for Prime Day UK. The online retail giant has slashed the prices of its connected hardware to £79 and £34, respectively. That's a full 47 and 30 percent discount to introduce smart connectivity to the home.

What makes these products intriguing is how easy it is to use them with Windows 10. The already affordable Amazon Echo Dot is now £34.99, but the highlight is the Amazon Echo, which sits at a super-reasonable £79.99. Both the white and black variants are included in this promotion, which will run until 11:45 p.m. GMT this evening.

See other enticing Amazon Prime Day deals!

Get £25 off the Amazon Echo right now in the UK!

Richard Devine — Wed, 24 May 2017 11:05:12 +0000

If you've got a hankering for an Amazon Echo but you were waiting for a deal, now would be the time to bite. For a "limited time" Amazon UK has taken £25 off the price of the big Echo, bringing it down to £124.99.

It's valid on both colors and is a decent chunk off the usual £150 asking price. Though predictably Amazon isn't saying how limited the limited time is, so it's probably wise to jump on it sooner rather than later.

The bigger Echo has the advantage of being a much better speaker than the Echo Dot and it's actually pretty great for listening to music through as well as engaging in all the connected goodness Alexa brings.

See at Amazon

With Cortana's Invoke speaker finally on the way, Amazon is dangerously close to lapping the field

Phil Nickinson — Sun, 14 May 2017 19:00:01 +0000

It was about three or four years ago when my wife and I decided to finally get rid of our landline. We weren't really using it anymore — it was mostly an emergency backup, and a great way for solicitors to bug us. (That it occasionally made phantom 911 calls in the middle of the night was another impetus.)

This presented a problem, though. Our kids ride the bus home, and family members pick them up there. But what happens if for some reason nobody shows? The kids need a way to call their parents.

I had a brief flirtation with Google Hangouts for this. But it was clunky at best, and now is a nonstarter, since Hangouts is dying. And so this is how our eldest daughter got "her" first phone way earlier than I would have liked.

This is also why I'm ridiculously excited about Amazon's recent announcements. Which naturally, have implications for Microsoft's Skype platform, and any efforts to bring Cortana to the living room.

The window of opportunity for Microsoft's own "Invoke" speaker — powered by Cortana and sourced by audio giant Harman/Kardon — is potentially already shrinking.

Is it already too late for Cortana to take on Alexa?

Finally announced at the 2017 Build conference in Seattle, it may well be the best-sounding smart speaker we've seen. But details are still sparse. Will it compete with the price of the full-size Echo or Google Home, both of which come in under $150? And we're probably still at least four months away from release (I'd say that's on the early side, actually) before we even get a chance to buy Invoke.

This is what Microsoft and Harman/Kardon will have to compete with, Amazon's Echo, and the brand new Echo Show.

Preorder Echo Show

But first ... a word on your contacts

https://twitter.com/mdrndad/status/863042815261106180

When you first set up Alexa calling you have to give the app access to your contacts. Don't do that without some hesitation. You're giving Amazon the ability to see every person in your contact list. Same goes for anyone who has you in their contact list.

That in and of itself isn't evil, but it's poor implementation. I have at least one person in my Alexa contacts now who I had to look up. They'd emailed me for an Android Central thing back in 2012. And now I have their phone number and the ability to call their Amazon devices wherever they may be? That's ridiculous, and something Microsoft could pounce on in criticism.

Amazon must (and I'm sure will) add granular controls as to who is allowed to contact you through Alexa calling. And it needs to do it ASAP.

Alexa calling changes everything

If you have young kids or aging parents, Alexa calling and an Echo Dot is a no-brainer.

What I really needed was a way for my kids to be able to call their parents without needing a phone. The new calling (and messaging) feature in the Alexa app makes this a reality.

Setup was super simple. You'll need the Alexa app, (which, of course, isn't available on Microsoft's platforms, and that's not likely to change either. If you do have a compatible device, you'll need to give it access to your contacts. Once you do that it'll match the peeps in your phone with the peeps who own an Echo. (There's a pitfall here, but we'll get to that in a second.)

And that's it. Once that's done you can call anyone in your Alexa contacts. And when you do so it'll ring their mobile devices and any Echo devices. If you don't want to have a live call, you can just leave a voice message, or send a basic text message through the Alexa app.

Don't mistake these for regular phone calls and SMS messages — they're not. But that matters less and less these days. So long as the meaning gets through, who cares what the mechanism is?

And my kids aren't the only ones who are going to take advantage of this. My grandparents are 90 and still ridiculously awesome. (One's on an iPhone, and the other on Android. Along the same lines as my wife and I, now that I think about it.) But smartphones at 90 aren't necessarily as easy as smartphones at 40. Simpler is better, especially if an emergency happens. And is there really anything more simple than a $50 Echo Dot that can call me in mere seconds?

For young kids and aging relatives, this is a game-changer.

Echo Show — we'll see ... and it will, too

The other major announcement from Amazon was Echo Show — an Echo with a touchscreen and a camera. That's a big deal, too, for a few reasons.

All this connected stuff at home is great. But we've yet to see a proper visual hub that could finally tie it all together. Sure, there are DIY smart mirrors, and Apple TV and Android TV have the potential to serve as display hubs. But none of that has really happened yet.

A home hub display and cross-platform video calls will be a BIG deal for a lot of people.

And none of them has the Skills that Alexa has. That is, Alexa is the endpoint for thousands and thousands of APIs for so many services. A visual hub makes so much sense here.

It's also a big deal for video calls. While Apple's FaceTime has always been excellent for this, it's limited to someone having an Apple device nearby. Same for any other video chat service. Mobile devices are, by definition, mobile. But video calls on a home hub mean it's always there, and always available, for everyone.

I'm less bullish on the "Drop-in" calls — wherein someone — after you've granted them access — can literally drop in on you with a video call, basically saving them the trouble of accepting the call themselves. (They'll still have the option to reject it, though.) But I'll just have to wait and see how well that actually works.

And Echo Show will do more traditional things like watch videos and play music and order things from Amazon. And surely that's just the beginning.

While having a camera in the living room isn't a novelty anymore, I get that folks will still be hesitant to let Amazon (or any other company traditionally outside of the security space) have a look at what's going on so easily. But I also think the ease of communication will trump that fear.

An imperfect, huge head start

Messaging through Amazon Alexa is a big deal. But it's far from perfect and definitely has room to improve. A few thoughts off the top of my head:

Again, the contacts thing is ridiculous. That should never have happened.
So technically my kids are calling my through my own account, but whatever. It just works.
But having more than one person in the home is a little clunky, even with the Amazon Household stuff. You have to tell Alexa to change accounts. Google has that beat with voice recognition for multiple accounts on Google Home.
(That also means anyone who has access to an Echo device can listen to your messages. So keep things SFW, folks. Or not.)
Know what else I want? Some sort of web or (even better) native computer support for when I'm sitting here working.
The Alexa app is still not great, if you're looking to actually use it as a messaging app. In fact, it's bad for that.
And Amazon needs to give more assurances that your messages are secure.

The simple fact of the matter, though, is this: While Apple beat everyone to the mobile assistant game with Siri, and Google Assistant is very good and growing all the time, neither has reach ubiquitous status, leaving Amazon to fill in the large gaps left by anything that's not traditionally mobile.

The messaging space is more competitive than ever.

Google Home has helped with that, but there's no denying Echo has a huge lead. Microsoft's Invoke definitely looks promising. But so many questions remain, especially whether it has any chance at being more than a niche product for the hardcore fans. And Microsoft (like everyone else) was already far behind. Not seeing Harmon/Kardon's speaker until the fall doesn't help matters, and anything similar from Apple is still in the rumor status. Microsoft has struggled to capitalize with Cortana and Skype voice-activated calling on home PCs and even Xbox, thus far, too. The messaging space is more competitive than ever, and Amazon's product line-up is breaking new ground while Microsoft is still attempting to modernize Skype.

Will Echo Show extend Amazon's head start? There's almost no way it can't at this point.

For now, it's still Amazon's game to lose. And with Alexa calling and soon with Echo Show, it's making nothing but winning moves.

See the entire Echo family at Amazon

Modern Dad

Main

Amazon Echo's Alexa now works with your Office 365 calendar

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 15:57:19 +0000

Amazon Echo is getting even friendlier for anyone who depends on Microsoft to manage their calendars. After extending Calendar support for Outlook accounts earlier in February, Amazon Echo's Alexa now supports Office 365 calendars as well (via TechCrunch).

As with Outlook, getting started with Alexa and your Office 365 account is pretty simple stuff. Just head into Calendar section of the settings in either the Alexa app or website. Once there, you'll have the option to connect a Google or Microsoft account. Just tap or click on Microsoft and you'll be prompted to log in and grant the necessary permissions.

Using an Amazon Echo with Windows 10 is easy!

Before Outlook and Office 365 Calendar, only Google's Calendar service was supported. In other words, this is a pretty big deal for anyone who lives in the Microsoft ecosystem either for work or personal use. Once integrated, you can query Alexa about what's on your agenda for the day, or even add new events.

See at Amazon

Amazon Echo's Alexa can now read your Microsoft calendar

dan.lancaster@mobilenations.com (Dan Thorp-Lancaster) — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 21:31:18 +0000

Amazon Echo's Alexa just got a little smarter with the ability to keep an eye on your Microsoft account calendar. As first spotted by The Digital Lifestyle, Alexa can now be connected to your Microsoft account for keeping track of upcoming meetings and other events on your calendar.

All you have to do to get started is head into the settings portion of the Alexa app or website and click on Calendar. From there, you'll see the option to connect either a Google or Microsoft account. Just click on the Microsoft option and you'll be prompted to log in and give the necessary permissions for the integration to work.

Using an Amazon Echo with Windows 10 is easy!

Previously, only Google accounts were supported, so this is a big deal for anyone who relies on Microsoft's ecosystem for managing their various calendars. And while it is possible to migrate Outlook calendars over to Gmail, not everyone is willing or able to abandon Outlook for the sake of Echo integration.

See at Amazon

Windows Central Podcast: CES 2017 Mega Special with Android Central

Derek Kessler — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 04:30:48 +0000

CES 2017 is over and we're all back home, but before we left Las Vegas, we gathered around the microphone for one of our favorite trade show traditions: the mega cross-site podcast!

It's long, it's rambling, it's occasionally afflicted with electronic noise because somebody's phone was desperately searching for signal (sorry about that), it's jam-packed with discussion of dozens of gadgets — it's the CES 2017 Android Central and Windows Central podcast!

Show Notes

0:00:00: CES 2017 and the week that was
0:03:00: Amazon Alexa everywhere
0:07:50: CES 2017's weirdest things
0:11:38: The Huawei Mate 9 also has Alexa
0:20:45: Cortana in cars and the platform war
0:23:15: BlackBerry Mercury — keyboards by TCL
0:34:44: Let's not talk about the Honor 6X
0:35:30: Honor Magic is worth talking about
0:38:05: Razer's insane three-screened laptop: Project Valerie
0:44:40: Project everything with Razer Project Ariana
0:51:00: Lenovo ThinkPad X1
0:53:00: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
0:56:10: LG Gram: now even lighter
0:57:26: Samsung now makes gaming laptops
0:58:05: Samsung's Note notes and every lithium ion battery in the room
1:01:54: ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom drops the periscope
1:06:45: Tango with the ZenFone AR
1:12:29: ASUS ZenBook 3 Deluxe: faster, thinner, still so sexy
1:14:20: Samsung makes a Chromebook worth buying
1:16:25: Windows Holographic headsets are coming
1:17:40: Lenovo's clever hack to bring VR to old games
1:22:50: MrMobile arrives
1:25:07: Dell's Canvas is a Surface Studio without the PC
1:30:50: A 32-inch 8K monitor, because we can
1:37:10: Being a Casio fanboy
1:41:52: Getting snippy about Spectacles
1:44:42: Random CES round 1: Tiny1, the astronomy camera
1:46:42: Random CES round 2: GraalPhone, the fanboy's phone
1:50:20: Kangaroo's modular laptop is actually a real thing
1:51:57: Random CES round 3: Changhong H2, the spectrometer phone
1:54:55: Random CES round 4: LeEco Smart Bikes, Android but BikeOS

Download directly: Audio
Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
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Hosts

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Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
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Modern Dad says Echo Dot is the best Alexa ...

Marc Lagace — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 20:40:19 +0000

You almost can't go wrong picking any of the three versions of Amazon Echo. That's the official name, of course, for the little connected speaker thing that we affectionately refer to as Alexa. But the simple fact is that there are three of them, at different price points.

So you have a decision to make, and one that's even more important given that we're smack in the middle of the holiday gift-giving season.

If you've got 2 minutes, I'll walk you through my favorite of the bunch. That's less time than it takes to order an Echo, actually — and it goes even quicker if you use Alexa to order another Echo. (But that's a whole different layer of Alexa inception, and another video for another time.)

Currently, there's no Echo app for Windows PC or Mobile, but that's no excuse! Here's how to set up your Echo or Echo Dot for Windows 10 via the web app on your browser.

So get to it!

Want to see all the cool stuff we're playing with at Modern Dad? Check out our recommendations at Kit.com

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